Pages

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Bank robbery suspect in custody

By Will Bublitz

The long arm of the law has finally caught the suspect in last year’s bank robbery in Limon. Jewel Gist, the 46-year-old suspect, was arrested in Wheeling, W.Va. on June 22.

“The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office in West Virginia caught him for us,” Limon Police Chief Lynn Yowell said. “Their deputy stopped him for a traffic violation for having no taillights on his vehicle.” Gist reportedly tried to refuse to the deputy’s initial demand to turn over his identification.

“After some back and forth with the deputy, he finally handed over his California driver’s license and registration,” Yowell said. “They ran it through the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) database and determined he was wanted in two states, Colorado and Oklahoma. I’m shocked that he didn’t try to make a run for it, but he gave up without incident and was taken into custody.”

Gist was wanted on two Colorado charges stemming from the July 31, 2014 robbery of the First National Bank of Hugo - Limon. It was Limon’s first-ever bank robbery.

DNA samples taken by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from the getaway vehicle later identified Gist as the suspect. He has been sought on the Colorado charges since last April.

During the July 31, 2014 robbery, the suspect walked into the First National Bank - Hugo and handed the teller a note that demanded money and stated that he was armed. After the cash was turned over, he exited the building and was seen fleeing the scene on foot. No one was injured during the incident.After the robber left the building, bank officials immediately sounded the alarm and Limon Police officers rushed to the bank. A description of the suspect was obtained, and the officers quickly searched the immediate neighborhood but were unable to find him.

Pick up this week's Limon Leader and Eastern Colorado Plainsman for the full story!